LD Products

Why is printer ink so expensive?

OEM printer cartridges—aka ink or toner made by your printer’s manufacturer (HP, Canon, Epson)—are all priced high to make up for the cost of manufacturing printers. Brands like HP, Epson, and Canon sell cheap inkjet printers often at cost just to get consumers to buy their product. They then hope to make the money back from the ink and toner cartridges those consumers would have to buy in order to keep their printers running later on.

How can you save money on ink?

There are quite a few ways, one is to use laser printers. Buying a laser printer has proven time and again to be more cost-effective compared to inkjet printers. Another way is to use generic ink and toner cartridges priced much lower than an original (OEM) cartridge. Just like how you’ve come to depend on the quality you get from other generic products, generic printer cartridges—also called aftermarket cartridges—have taken the ink and toner industry by storm, saving both home users and businesses thousands of dollars.

What ink should I buy for my printer?

Get the name of your printer ink cartridge by following these easy steps. Lift the cover of your printer to expose your printer cartridge tray. Wait for the cartridge carriage to center and stop completely. The names of your cartridges should already be visible to you from this angle. Otherwise, pull out your ink cartridge and the cartridge label might be on the side.

What is the best printer with the cheapest ink cartridges?

Knowing which printer model uses ink cartridges most efficiently can save you a ton of money in the long run. There are printer models with affordable ink cartridge options whether you get a Canon, HP, Epson, or Brother printer. Educate yourself on how to be a smarter printer shopper and check out our list of recommended printers with the most ink-efficient cartridges with this article.

Where to Recycle Ink Cartridges

All cartridges are built to be reused so we strongly encourage you recycle your empty ink or toner cartridges. First step, locate the nearest recycling center by going to Earth911.com. You can also drop off your used cartridges at any major office supply store near you.